There are many factors that affect the look of our smile, and unfortunately, even with good oral hygiene, we all experience teeth staining or discolouration to some extent throughout the course of our lives. With age, the enamel of our teeth loses its natural whiteness and shine. However, during earlier stages of our life, there are many different factors that can cause yellow teeth or staining. Teeth staining is a common dental issue presented to our dentist in Rickmansworth.
Extrinsic stains and home whitening kits
Teeth staining either occurs on the surface of the tooth or inside it. Extrinsic staining is found on the surface of the tooth and may be a result of poor oral hygiene or many other environmental factors. Our choice of diet, the food and drinks that we choose to eat for example red wine, coffee, tea and cola can lead to teeth staining. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, chewing tobacco and other more complicated factors like drug abuse can significantly affect the colour of your teeth. Some underlying health issues can affect the enamel of your teeth and thereby affect the appearance and colour of your teeth. Medications such as those for cancer can damage the enamel of your teeth, this is usually unavoidable and maybe reversible following recovery or when you are no longer taking such medication.
Extrinsic stains of your teeth can be addressed using home whitening kits. You may find many different whitening treatment kits on the market or at your pharmacy. However, we recommend that you speak to our dentist in Rickmansworth and whiten your teeth under their careful supervision and advice for an effective and successful result that is beautiful and safe for your dental health.
Teeth whitening toothpastes that are readily available on the market contain micro granules that can exfoliate the stains from your teeth; however, their abrasive method can wear away your enamel if used regularly or twice a day as usually advised. Here at our dentist in Rickmansworth, we will make sure that your teeth are strong and healthy and that teeth whitening is suitable for you.
You will be given a home whitening kit that you can take away and use in the comfort of your own home for gradual and effective teeth whitening. You will also be provided with individually tailored trays and a gel that you can use in the morning when you first wake up and a second gel to wear overnight whilst you sleep. These gels are made up of different combinations of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide and work together as bleaching agents to break down the stains on your teeth to reveal the white enamel beneath.
Intrinsic stains and dental veneers
Intrinsic staining of the teeth is more complicated and cannot be treated using simple teeth whitening procedures. Speak to our dentist to find out about dental veneers and how they can be used to address the aesthetics of your teeth further. Contact us at Berry Lane Dental today to find out more about teeth whitening and other cosmetic dental procedures to help improve the aesthetics of your smile.